We don't label our pupils as failures

Speaking at North Coast Integrated College Annual prize day, principal Jim Frizelle said: “We do not label any student as a failure and we allow our students to flourish in areas most suitable to them. We create pathways that are going to enable all our children to succeed.”

Pointing to the need for new thinking in education provision locally, Mr Frizelle highlighted the success of the Coleraine Area Learning Partnership (CALP) whereby students were able to access courses available at other schools and colleges. North Coast is an integral part of the CALP programme.

Mr Frizelle’s remarks came as the college celebrated its most successful year since it was established in 1996.

Last Wednedsay parents, staff, members of the Board of Governors, and pupils, past and present, gathered in the assembly hall to celebrate the college’s many successes. Prizes were awarded for academic, citizenship, cultural and sporting achievements.

Mr Frizelle, was joined on stage by Shane McCurdy, the new Chief Executive of the North Eastern Education and Library Board, Dr Lorna Stevens, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, Paul Mullan, Pastoral Vice-Principal, Mrs Angela Passmore, Curricular Vice Principal and, Mrs Karen Hunter, foundation governor.

Mr Frizelle began by applauding the marvellous achievements of all the pupils last year. He expressed great personal satisfaction at witnessing 99% of pupils attaining two or more A-Levels, at grades A to E, combined with almost 70% of GCSE pupils achieving five or more subjects at grades A* to C, and 98% attaining A* to G grades in five or more subjects.

The range and quality of academic and vocational courses increased at GCSE and A-level and the range of skills and qualifications gained by the students has left them in an excellent position to take advantage of university courses as well as workplace opportunities.

Opportunities to study both Academic and Vocational GCSEs at the college increased significantly this year and now include Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Triple Award Science), Construction, Hair and Beauty, the Built Environment, Painting and Decorating, Engineering, Technology and Design, Business Administration, Health and Social Care and ICT.

Mr Frizelle said: “Our outgoing A2 students are reading subjects as diverse as Social Work, Psychology, English, History and Drama, right through to Software Engineering and Design, Textiles and Fashion Design and Public Relations and Media.”

He added: “As they settle into undergraduate life in Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Ulster, and a number of universities in England including Liverpool, Sheffield, Salford, Newcastle, Northumbria and Kent, we extend to them and their families all our good wishes and thanks for supporting Integration and the college throughout their educational careers. Good luck to one and all”

Mr Frizelle stressed that these results were obtained in an all-ability environment where the child-centred ethos and, the emphasis on mutual understanding, dominated college life.

He continued: “This is combined with the hard work and dedication of the teaching and non-teaching staff; the hard work of the pupils themselves; the support of the parents and the unwavering support of the Board of Governors.”

Before distributing the prizes Mr Frizelle reflected on how the school was looking to the future and was not “stuck in the educational trenches of the past.”

He added: “It is surprising and incomprehensible that despite the efforts this college is making in line with current educational thinking and best practice, that the Department of Education insists on stifling development in the College by refusing the college to expand its enrolment both at entry level in Year 8 and at post-16 level.

“I suggest that Integration is the way forward without the 11+. We can demonstrate that with over half our pupils opting out of the transfer examination we can maximize the potential of these pupils.

“We allow our students to flourish in areas most suitable for them. We create pathways that are going to enable all our children to succeed. We believe that we, at North Coast Integrated College, provide a model that allows this to happen.”

Before asking guest speaker, Mr Shane McCurdy to address the audience, Mr Frizelle highlighted the reasons behind North Coast’s success.

He stated: “Our students are happy in school and are happy to be here.”

Secondly, he emphasised the diligence and work ethic of the teaching staff which was of vital importance. Teachers through target setting and knowledge of their pupils managed to unlock the pupils’ potential and gave them self-belief.

Thirdly, the range of academic and vocational subjects on offer at the college allowed pupils to enter the labour market well prepared with the necessary skills which are essential to enter the work place or University life.

In addition, students were able to access courses available at other schools and colleges through the Coleraine Area Learning Partnership (CALP), which the college fully supported.

Fourthly, Mr Frizelle highlighted the value of the integrated setting and the opportunities that this provides for pupils. North Coast is the only integrated college and the largest non-selective secondary school in the Coleraine area.

It is co-educational and all-ability school in nature and is available to all without entrance requirements. Pupils are educated together in an atmosphere of respect, tolerance, trust and understanding.

He added that the college is fully committed to the Department of Education policy of ‘Every School a Good School’.

”The Entitlement Framework published by the Department in June 2005 outlined guidance for schools and colleges on the opportunities that must be offered to children,” he said.

“Schools must provide access to a minimum of 24 subjects at KS4 and provide access to a minimum of 27 courses at post-16. At least one-third of each must be either applied, ie, vocational. We are in the fortunate position that we already a long way down that road.”

Mr Frizelle concluded by warmly congratulating the pupils on their achievements in in another competitive and successful year for the college.

“Today is about a celebration of actual achievement, not the rhetoric of achievement, and we hope that the gathered students would go on to even greater things in the future, on the solid foundations gained in a school where students and parental choice actually counts,” he said.

“It is a palpable and provable fact that this college’s ethos and educational philosophy, combined with the support and dedication of its parents and guardians, is the real recipe for success.”